Disney superfan sheds 16st to fit on rides and play Prince Charming

A Disney fanatic who once tipped the scales at a hefty 30 stone has shed more than half his body weight, transforming himself into Prince Charming for a stage production.

Ben Clark, 35, couldn't fit into the rides at Disney World during a holiday in Orlando, Florida, in September 2022, which was a wake-up call for him. With a waist measuring between 48 to 50 inches, he decided to undergo gastric sleeve surgery in Poland in October 2022, costing him £5,000 including flights and medication.

Since the surgery, which saw two-thirds of his stomach removed, Ben, from Manchester, has dropped to a svelte 12st 9lbs and can now slip into a 30 to 32-inch waist with ease. Not only can he enjoy the rides, but he's also snagged his dream role as Prince Charming in a production of Cinderella at Taylor Hall at St Lawrence College in Ramsgate.

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The transformation has been life-changing for Ben, who works as a level manager at Co-Op Live. He said: "I couldn't go on some of the rides because I couldn't fit. I'm a huge Disney nerd.

"I have been back on stage in three amateur shows since and finally played the role of Prince Charming. The weight loss has given me confidence and it makes it easier.

"I would not have been able to do this before."

The clinic in Poland came under the recommendation of Ben's godmother who went under the knife a year before. Ben described the operation as "painful" and the need to diet before and after as "hard work".

The surgery removed two thirds of his stomach - restricting the amount he needs to eat to feel full. He has since lost 16st 7lbs - and now weighs 12st 9lbs and can wear a waist size of 30 to 32 inches.

Ben said: "A lot of people think it is the easy way out but you still have to do a lot of work after. The stomach is still a muscle and you can stretch it, so for eight weeks after you are on a very strict diet."

Post-surgery, Ben said his diet has completely changed but he still employs hacks to trick himself into keeping disciplined.

He said: "My biggest thing was I'd easily drink two plus litres of fizzy drink a day. I still treat myself to chocolate or sweets or what I want but it's in small quantities and once in a blue moon.

"I can eat anything but only small amounts, like I will have a small chicken breast and some vegetables and be full. Instead of using a normal plate, I will use a side plate.

"It still looks like a full meal that way."

When Ben was younger, he was involved in musical theatre as a dancer and later as a dance teacher, and had always longed to return to the craft. Ben's body transformation has allowed him to return to the stage.

He achieved his dream of playing the pantomime prince in the Margate Operatic Society's production of Cinderella. Ben also said that the weight loss journey had made him "a lot happier as a person" and inspired him to change careers and move from Margate to Manchester.

He now intends to save money both for procedures to have loose skin removed and for a trip to Florida. He said: "I really want to have the chance to do the trip again and do those rides and experience Florida as a slimmer person."